Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
904. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the new supports that will be introduced to ensure that students from target groups can access affordable, student-specific accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035 sets out a pathway to make higher education more accessible by addressing two critical challenges, accommodation supply and viability and accommodation affordability.
Affordability of student accommodation is supported through a range of financial assistance schemes, including the SUSI Student Grant Scheme (with non-adjacent grants targeting students living 30 km or more from their HEI), the PATH 2 1916 Bursary, Student Accommodation Assistance, and the Student Assistance Fund.
The strategy commits to targeting these supports for increases in line with the annual estimates process. Combined, these supports provide €176 million annually, alongside the rent tax credit, which offers up to €2,000 per year for jointly assessed couples or €1,000 for single applicants.
I am pleased that Budget 2026 already made some improvements in this area with all non adjacent maintenance grant rates increasing by between €200-€430 from September 2026 with eligible students this academic year seeing a pro-rata increase.
